Exciting times ahead for renowned dealmaker

By Peter McCluster

ONE of Newcastle’s best known dealmakers is leaving Eversheds to set up his own commercial law firm in the city.

Ian Gilthorpe, who has been at Eversheds for less than three years, is launching the firm in collaboration with Alan Fletcher, son of former Newcastle United chairman Freddie Fletcher, who is a partner at the firm specialising in corporate finance.

Gosforth-born Gilthorpe is best known for his 30 years at Newcastle law firm Muckle LLP which saw him rise to head the firm as managing partner from 1985 to 2002.

He later became a senior partner and then moved into a business development role before leaving and later joining Eversheds.

He said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my two-and-a-half years working with the great people at Eversheds, which is the only international firm in the region.

“Together with fellow corporate partner Alan Fletcher I am leaving Eversheds as we believe the time is right to found a new regional law firm, which will focus primarily on North East corporates and high-net worth individuals.”

Adrian Stanley, the Eversheds senior partner in Newcastle, he said: “Ian was brought in originally to help raise the profile of the firm and he achieved that. It has been great to work with him.”